Mazda
B Series
3,086 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where B Seriess pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 11.0 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
66.5%
Pass-after-fix
5.9%
Fail
26.1%
Avg miles
120,727
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Some examples of this model are borderline — a small number of diesels were certified Euro 6 before September 2015. Check your registration on the government's ULEZ checker to be certain. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 · Bristol £9.00 .
The picture
B Series: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 2,405 MOT tests, the B Series returns 66.3% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a split CV-joint boot. A torn suspension dust cover and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 119,745, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 12–30
Around the UK fleet average for insurance cost. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
12–30
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
202 occurrences · 6.5% of tests
- 02
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
202 occurrences · 6.5% of tests
- 03
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
175 occurrences · 5.7% of tests
- 04
Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
156 occurrences · 5.1% of tests
- 05
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
155 occurrences · 5.0% of tests
- 06
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
144 occurrences · 4.7% of tests
- 07
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
140 occurrences · 4.5% of tests
- 08
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
134 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
- 09
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
121 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 10
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
84 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Recall history
3 UK recalls on record.
The B Series has 3 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a B Series?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a B Series and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.